Windsor Castle Railway Station is not a single station, but rather two stations that serve the iconic Windsor Castle – Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside. These stations provide convenient access to one of the UK’s most famous royal residences, allowing visitors to easily explore the castle and the surrounding town.
Windsor & Eton Central Station
Location
Situated on Thames Street, Windsor & Eton Central Station is located almost immediately opposite Castle Hill, the main public entrance to Windsor Castle.
Services
Operated by Great Western Railway, this station is the terminus of a branch line from Slough. It offers regular train services to and from the nearby town of Slough.
History
Originally named Windsor, the station was renamed to Windsor & Eton in 1904 and then to Windsor & Eton Central in 1949.
Features
A significant portion of the station has been converted into a shopping complex named Windsor Royal Shopping, with a ticket office and truncated platform remaining for services on the Slough–Windsor & Eton line.
Windsor & Eton Riverside Station
Location
Located at the bottom of the hill below the castle, Windsor & Eton Riverside Station is just a few minutes’ walk from Windsor Castle.
Services
Operated by South Western Railway, this station links directly with London Waterloo, with a journey time of approximately 55 minutes.
Features
Like Windsor & Eton Central, this station is also within walking distance of Windsor Castle and the town’s other attractions.
Getting to Windsor Castle from London by Train
From London Paddington
To reach Windsor Castle from London Paddington, you can take a train to Slough and then change for the branch line service to Windsor & Eton Central, which is just a 6-minute journey.
From London Waterloo
Alternatively, you can take a direct train to Windsor & Eton Riverside from London Waterloo, which takes approximately 55 minutes.
Ticket Booking and Accessibility
Ticket Booking
Tickets to Windsor Castle can be booked through various websites, such as Trainline, CrossCountry, and My train ticket.
Accessibility
Visit Windsor has worked with AccessAble to produce guides for residents and visitors with access requirements to plan their journeys to and around Windsor, including information about the accessibility of the railway stations.
References
- Windsor & Eton Central railway station
- Getting to Windsor Castle by Train
- Travel Information: Getting to Windsor by Train
- Things to Do: Windsor Castle
- Trains to Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle Railway Station, with its two distinct stations, provides convenient access to one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks. Whether you’re visiting from London Paddington or London Waterloo, these stations offer a hassle-free way to explore the grandeur of Windsor Castle and the surrounding town.